In the above image, we can see that US homicide rates fall far below the much higher rates seen in Russia and much of the third world — particularly in sub Saharan Africa and Central America. Given that crime rates in impoverished nations are not likely to be compiled as carefully as in more developed countries, the homicide rates above for third world countries are likely to be understated.

Statistics for accidental overdose deaths are more difficult to come by, for international comparison. According to this source (PDF), Russia has 6.6 drug overdose deaths / 100,000, followed by the US at 6.2 / 100,000, the EU at 4.4 / 100,000, and Australia at 3.1 / 100,000. But given Russia’s collapsing public health infrastructure, it is likely that Russian drug overdose rates are significantly higher than reported.

The massive and overweening US government reduces hope and opportunity in the general populace, creating despair and an increasing tendency to seek escape into mind-dulling and mind-altering activities. Of course, we see the same trends toward hopelessness in populations of Russia, the EU, and across the Anglosphere, as governments attempt to infantalise citizens into a hopeless dependency on central authority.

In summary, although suicide, drug overdose, and (firearm) homicides are said to be epidemics within the US, we can see that overall, the US does not stand out from other nations by those statistics.

Residents of North America — like residents of the rest of the Anglosphere and the EU — need to learn to increase their independence from governments that stifle and suffocate human opportunity and human aspirations. I would like to recommend The Dangerous Child Method of Education and Child-Raising as a modest beginning.